Martians set to invade town in radio classic

Friday

Oct 18, 2013 at 2:00 AM

SEABROOK — The Seabrook Old-time Radio Players will re-enact "War of the Worlds" live on stage at the Seabrook Library on Oct. 30. In the early days of radio, writer Howard Koch adapted HG Wells classic science fiction drama into a radio play for Orson Welles and The Mercury Players.

SEABROOK — The Seabrook Old-time Radio Players will re-enact "War of the Worlds" live on stage at the Seabrook Library on Oct. 30. In the early days of radio, writer Howard Koch adapted HG Wells classic science fiction drama into a radio play for Orson Welles and The Mercury Players.

The Seabrook OTR Players were granted permission from the Koch's estate to perform the original script for a special, one-night only performances celebrating the 75th anniversary of the original broadcast. The free one-hour presentation will be performed at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Oct. 30 at the Seabrook Library.

On Oct. 30, 1938, The Mercury Players On The Air presented HG Wells "War of Worlds" on the radio CBS network. Although clearly announced as a presentation of HG Wells' story, many listeners across the country tuned in late only to hear the realistic "we interrupt this program" announcements of an alien invasion from Mars. Stories of the ensuing panic were printed boldly across the headlines of the next days newspapers across the nation.

Orson Welles, director of the group, was catapulted into the limelight, his name forever matched with this most famous or infamous broadcast in radio history.

Performing on the 30-foot stage in the conference room at the Seabrook Library, The Seabrook OTR Players will be using an array of visual and audio effects to recreate the story of the small town of Grovers Mill, N.J., that became the landing point of the mysterious cylinders that unleash the "Vanguard of an invading army."

For more information, contact Seabrook Library at 474-2044 or e-mail donstage@yahoo.com.

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